Marked by the monster alpha

Chapter:4

Immediately Bella pointed the gun at herself, Dominic’s eyes widened in panic. He released Harrison at once, his hands raised.

“Don’t!” Dominic’s voice broke through the tense silence. “Please don’t shoot yourself. Put the gun down. I’ve let him go. Please don’t hurt yourself. Let’s resolve this peacefully.”

Bella’s hands trembled, the gun still aimed at her chest.

Dominic gave a subtle signal to his men. They moved quickly, dragging in several large boxes and opening them to reveal stacks of money, glittering jewelry, and gold bars.

“Just walk away,” Dominic said calmly, his eyes never leaving Bella. “And all this is yours.”

Harrison’s mother gasped loudly, her eyes almost popping out at the sight. She nearly rushed forward to grab the money, her fingers twitching as if they were itching to touch it.

Harrison’s eyes widened. He hesitated, then slowly reached toward one of the stacks. “For real?” he whispered, his voice full of disbelief.

Bella stared at him, shock flooding her veins. “Harrison?” she whispered, her heart pounding.

Harrison’s attention remained glued to the money. He grabbed a handful of bills and smiled faintly.

“You really thought a billion dollars could buy you true love?” Harrison suddenly barked, throwing the money up in the air so it fluttered down across Dominic’s face like falling leaves. “I always knew you were pathetic, Dominic. But I didn’t know you were also stupid. I’ll never leave Bella. Not for a billion dollars and not for a billion years!”

Dominic’s jaw tightened, but before he could speak, Harrison’s mother’s voice cut through the tension like a knife.

“Harrison, you’re the pathetic and stupid one!” she hissed. She turned to Dominic. “Alpha Dominic, please don’t listen to my son. He’s lost it. One billion dollars and we’ll cut all ties to Bella, her family, everything.”

“Mom, stop taking the money!” Harrison snapped, his voice rising.

“You fool,” his mother spat back, “how could you say no to all this money for a woman? She’s nothing but trouble and shame. Plus, she doesn’t even have a wolf!”

The words struck Bella like a blow. Her chest tightened, but before she could speak, her father’s voice thundered across the room.

“This is how you see my daughter?” Alpha Justin roared. “It’s about the money and not her?”

Harrison’s mother turned to him, her face twisted with indignation. “I’m just being honest. Any sane person would make the same choice.”

Bella’s father’s eyes burned with fury. “This wedding is off!” he shouted. “Bella, we’re leaving!”

“Bella!” Harrison called after her desperately.

“Follow her and you’ll no longer be my son!” Harrison’s mother screamed at him, her voice shaking the walls.

Bella walked out, her heart breaking, but she didn’t look back. She entered the car, her hands trembling as she reached for the door handle.

She turned, ready to sit alone in the backseat, and froze.

Dominic was sitting beside her, his eyes calm but dark, as if he had expected this moment all along.

“You just don’t get it, do you?” Dominic murmured, his voice low and possessive. “No one can treat you or protect you better than I can.”

Bella’s breath caught, panic flaring in her chest as his hand brushed hers.

“You are mine, Bella,” Dominic said with quiet finality. “We are getting married in three days. Be ready.”

He leaned in and kissed her forehead, his lips lingering there like a brand.

Dominic kissed Bella’s forehead and left. When Bella and her father got home, the weight of everything that had happened at the wedding pressed down on her chest like a stone. She went straight to her room without a word, tears sliding silently down her cheeks.

The next day, Alpha Justin’s beta walked into the Alpha’s office, his face pale. “Alpha Dominic will come tomorrow to claim Bella,” he reported grimly.

Bella sat on the couch in the adjoining room. Her fists clenched at the sound of those words. Rage and fear boiled inside her, but she stayed quiet, her face unreadable even though her heart was breaking.

The beta continued, “I think Bella should go away. It’s the only way.”

“No,” Bella said firmly, her voice trembling but steady. “I’m not leaving, Dad. And I’m certainly not abandoning our pack.”

“You should leave,” her father replied, his voice heavy. “It’s for the best. I’m going to speak to the council president tomorrow.”

“An Alpha cannot go against the werewolf council,” the beta murmured, but Justin only nodded grimly.

The next day, Dominic arrived at Alpha Justin’s house. The large estate was eerily silent. Dominic’s men moved swiftly from room to room, tearing through wardrobes and hallways.

“Alpha Dominic,” one of the guards said at last, “we have searched every corner of the house. Ms. Walker is not here.”

Dominic’s jaw tightened. “Keep looking,” he commanded coldly. “Do whatever it takes to find her.”

Before Dominic could issue another order, one of his men rushed to his side and whispered urgently into his ear. “Alpha Justin has gone to report you to the council president.”

Dominic’s lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. He gave a small nod and turned to leave, his coat brushing the floor like a shadow.

Meanwhile, Alpha Justin entered the grand office of the council president. His face was drawn and weary from lack of sleep. He stepped forward, his hands shaking slightly. “Mr. President, I am Alpha Justin. I’m here to ask you to hold Dominic Crawford accountable for forcing my daughter into marrying him.”

The large chair at the head of the desk turned slowly. Alpha Justin’s heart stopped.

Dominic sat in the chair, legs crossed, a glass of wine in his hand, his eyes glittering like steel.

“Always delighted to see you, Alpha Justin,” Dominic said smoothly.

Alpha Justin’s hope crumbled. “Dominic… what are you doing here? Where is the council president?”

Dominic rose to his feet, placing his hands flat on the table. He leaned forward, locking eyes with Justin. “You’re looking at him. I’m the new president.”

Alpha Justin shook his head in disbelief, his voice cracking. “You monster. You now have the council under your control? So be it.”

He stood up to leave, but he hadn’t seen the two of Dominic’s men standing behind him. They pressed him back down into the chair, their grips like iron.

“You’re not going anywhere,” Dominic said calmly. “I need you to stay here so that Bella will come and get you.”

Alpha Justin’s voice thundered. “You can’t use me to get to my daughter, you son of a b***h!” He tried to pull away, but Dominic’s men only tightened their hold until he could barely breathe.

Miles away, Bella was running through the forest, trying to put as much distance between herself and Dominic as she could. Her phone buzzed in her pocket. She answered, and her blood went cold.

Dominic was holding her father hostage.

Her heart pounding, Bella turned around. She couldn’t run. She couldn’t leave her father. She raced back.

When she finally burst into Dominic’s headquarters, her lungs burning, Dominic was sitting on a throne-like chair, one leg crossed over the other. He uncrossed his legs slowly as he saw her, his gaze dark and hungry.

“I’ve been waiting for you, my Luna,” Dominic murmured.

Bella stood still, her eyes darting to where her father sat, bound but alive. “Let him go,” she demanded, her voice shaking.

Dominic leaned forward. “Is that an order?” he asked quietly.

“No,” Bella whispered. She dropped to her knees. “I’m begging you. Please, let him go.”

Dominic stood and strode toward her, pulled her up and pinned her back against the wall with one hand. He leaned in close, his breath brushing her neck as he inhaled deeply, he struggled to hold back his feelings,

“Marry me,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “Become my Luna, and I’ll let your father go.”